Do Americans ever use this word? Or is it a foreign word like fortnight and crisps.
It seems that cussing and cursing are the most popular terms but is swearing ever used?
I use cussing and swearing interchangeably. I’m from Ohio.
Yes, we use “swearing”.
I remember the time I was called to testify in court and the bailiff said, “Do you solemnly swear…?”
“Fucking straight, I do!” said I.
I always have heard and always use “swearing” and I call them “swear words”.
Yes, we use the word “swearing.” At least, we do in California. I’ve heard it used in modern U.S. TV and film, as well as printed works.
Thank you kindly.
I only asked because I mostly hear the terms cussng and cursing from Americans. If I used either of them here someone might think I was was from Ohio 
I only swear fortnightly myself.
Well everyday day of the fortnight really.
Although I am familiar with the word, I don’t think I have ever heard someone use the word ‘cussing’ in conversation. I’m from New England.
Here in New Jersey I hear “swearing” much more often then I hear “cussing.” It just has an odd ring around here.
Yes. “Swearing” is used all the time. “Pop” and “Soda” are interchangeable as well. -Illinois
I’m foreign though…fizzy drink or soft drink are interchangeable.
Ditto, Buffalo NY.
“I swear to god, teacher…” “You shouldn’t swear to God. He doesn’t like it.”
The word ‘cuss’ was used when I was little, mostly by my grandparents and their Texas neighbors.
Cursing was also used, but not as often.
Swearing and cursing are interchangable for me, I might swear a curse word or vice versa.
Oh, um… Born in Kansas City, MO to St Louisan parents and lived in Lawrence Kansas for seven years. Trust me, it makes a difference.
That’s interesting… I would’ve thought Chicago was definite ‘Pop’ territory:
I think “cussing” is more of a southern word. Around these parts I hear “cursing” and “swearing” much more often.
Merriam-Webster says “cuss” is a degradation of the word “curse” itself. I agree, from the people I’ve heard use it, it’s probably a mostly Southern variant, where the dialect is likely to drop Rs.
Central Indiana, here. Cussing and swearing are interchangable, but many people here don’t recognize “cursing” as a synonym for cussing, oddly enough. Cursing seems to be about witches and voodoo, not bad words.
In an old Bill Cosby LP, he speaks of “cursing” Junior Barnes. He called him a gunky.
I had always assumed that, but its interesting to note that they are certainly separate words now. People around here say “cuss”, and we don’t drop our Rs; I’ve never even heard “curse” used in casual conversation. It seems so old-fashioned to me. But “swear” is certainly the most common word, I think - at least among white people. I think “cuss” is originally southern and entered into common usage among black people because of AAVE’s relation to southern English.
20something Californian, here.
“Swearing” is more common among my age group, and “cussing” and “cursing” tend to be used by older folks.
And carbonated drinks are “sodas” if they aren’t referred to by brand name (their own brand name, not simply “Coke”).
Indeed, there really isn’t a phrase quite like cussing someone out when using the terms such as curse, swear, or profanity.
You can always “swear a blue streak.”
I’ve always heard “swearing,” with “cursing” being a bit more old-fashioned, and “cussing” being what Southerners did 